Tag Archives: peplum

Before I move on from peplums for quite a while, here is just one last post. While I am on the subject of peplums, and on the subject of detachable fashion items, I figure I can’t move on until I talk about the detachable peplum! Unlike detachable collars, these are not trending right now. However, In my opinion they should be. I found one in a vintage shop a few years ago and I am converted.

Historically, like the detachable collar, a detacheable peplum was included in some patterns so that you could make to spice up your secretary skirt or day dress. Similar to the detachable collar, these added versatility to one’s wardrobe and stemmed from the economy in the 30s to 50s, lending variety with less fabric. Similar to other accessories, you could match your detachable peplum to the colour of your dress to make it appear attached, or you could contrast it with another colour or texture1. Various fabrics were used including fancier materiel such as lace, organza, velvet or taffeta which would dress up one’s outfit as well1.

Today of course I would recommend a funkier way to wear one of these than shown in these old patterns, particularly that apron-like one. Especially never wear one like a cape! That kind of modesty is not likely to make a come back any time soon.

Though I’m advocating giving the detachable peplum a new life in this post I actually found one amazing set from the 60s in the style of the patterns above on Etsy, and there is always a place for beautiful classics in your wardrobe such as this one!

You can still match or miss-match them to your outfit, but I like a more casual use for the detachable peplum and I particularly love it paired with jeans. If you match it to what you are wearing, then you will have an instant peplum top or dress and can mimic that look really well. If you don’t then it will look more like an accessory, and will be really original. Here are a few ideas of how to go about the latter.

Vintage detachable peplums are really hard to find. I have found a few on Etsy listed below all of which are from the 80s, many of which are made to go with a matching dress, which I hadn’t realized was “a thing” during this decade too. These would be fun pieces to get because you could wear them together, or take the peplum only and wear it mismatched as in the pics above. If you are interested in keeping an eye out for them, search for “peplum belt” as well.

Luckily, I am not the only one who thinks detachable peplums are the cat’s meow and there are several hand-made pieces on Etsy. These are some of my favourites:

You could really get a fun little DIY project going to make one of these. When I have a little more time, I’ll blog one, so stay tuned!

Many designers are doing peplums today, and now it’s not hard to find a peplum top or dress in a fast fashion shop. However, it is always more fun to wear an original! Have a look at my last post, The Peplum Through History to see how they have developed in modern times. After this journey back through time, you are probably now wondering how in the world you can pull off a vintage peplum piece for this trend? But, it’s easy!

First, a few notes about cut. Indeed you will probably want to try a few types of peplums to figure out what looks best on your shape. For example, a short (~1 foot) very ruffled peplum would look better on narrower hips1, while a flatter uneven or gathered peplum may highlight curvier ladies. What is fun about the peplum is that, if you have hips and a waist it accentuates them, and if you don’t, it gives you them! Some people say that not everyone can pull off a peplum, but to them I say pshaw. A little trial and error may simply be required to find the perfect one for you. Or, to heck with that in general and wear whatever you like!

In choosing pieces from the 30s and 40s, avoid those with the longer peplums, these are pretty frumpy. This piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, beautiful as it is, is a perfect case in point:

Uneven or gathered peplums are especially lovely. Below are few examples of highly wearable and beautiful pieces from the 30s and 40s that you can get on Etsy, and I have a few more posted in my treasury, Wearable Peplums From the 30s and 40s.

Though I mentioned in my last post that the peplum largely disappeared between the 40a and 80s, it did pop up now and again. If you dig the prairie style dresses from the 60s, which are really poplular these days, my absolute favorite versions are the ones with peplums! Here are a couple lovely examples on Etsy:

One must tread carefully if one plans to wear an 80s peplum since some of them are just too far out. But that said, there are many awesome examples, mainly in party dresses. Here are a few from Etsy that I really love and check my treasure Wearable Peplums of the 80s for more.

Simple peplum jackets are amazingly beautiful too, particularly those made of wool or pared with a matching skirt. The more subtle versions have in fact been around rather constantly throughout time. Buying one of these is a great investment because it is classic, and you would likely wear it for the rest of your life. These are good examples of what I am talking about. They aren’t easy to find, so if you do see one, and it fits, go for it!

There is another quick way to get the instant peplum look… with a detachable peplum! Have a look at my next post to see how.

I have so much to say about peplums that this is going to be a two part post. This first one introduces the peplum and its journey through time.

Peplum is a word that, along with the fashion has gone largely underground for 70 years with only a brief resurfacing in the 1980s. However, it has been slowly making a comeback on the runways over the last few years, and this season it is really here with a vengeance.

First off, if you have never heard of it, you’ll be wanting a definition. A peplum is basically an over skirt, that is usually attached to another garment such as a jacket, blouse, skirt or dress. Its main purpose was essentially to highlight the mini waist by accentuating the hips.

These types of adornments stem from the embellished dresses of the 1800s and beyond. There are many examples at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (p.s. their website is simply amazing!).

The next big break for the peplum was in the 30s and 40s where it was a staple attached to dresses and jackets. There were many variations from long to short, even and uneven and a look at old pattern designs can give you a nice idea of their range. You can also see where todays inspirations come from out of this fashion era.

In reality these designs translate into pieces such as the ones just below, which are also part of the collection at The Met.

In the 50s, the peplum was done to a degree as it faded out, but not in any major way, which is made obvious by the fact that it is hard to find 50s dresses with them nowadays. Most true peplums of this time were similar to those in the 40s so there is no reason to search out 50s peplum dresses. However there were also several peplum inspired embellishments to one side or in the back, and several gathered versions which are really unique and very fashionable. It was a time for out with the old and in with the new! Here are some examples that you can get on Etsy:

And again, here are some absolutely gorgeous examples from The Met (the one on the left is Dior and the other two are by Charles James):

The peplum resurfaced with force in the 1980s, particularly for party dresses and suits, with variations from your wildest dreams. Here are a few amazing examples on Etsy. By the way, you can own these, and I recommend it!

As I mentioned, peplums are everywhere now. Just open a fashion magazine or do a google search to see how these are being done today! What I love about taking a look back at them through time is that you can see where the inspirations come from, but also see what is new. These days, the peplum, as in the 80s, is important for party dresses, but similar to the 40s, it is also being done for day wear. I love how designers have taken it to a new complex level of geometrical, structured or floufy. Here are a few particularly spectacular examples: